Tag: Chamber

How will businesses survive the current turmoil in our municipality?

 How will businesses survive the current turmoil in our municipality?

Since the mid-1980s, businesses and the community have had the opportunity to talk to each other and put the hard truth on the table so that we can survive as a community, whatever the future holds.

First, it was the COVID19 lockdown where it became the norm in government departments and local government to “work from home” or only work two to three days a week. Then there was the unrest in Kwa-Zulu Natal and Gauteng, Steve Tshwete Municipality’s (STLM) civil unrest in August, which escalated into the current unsustainable wage increase demand for STLM workers, which is a major concern for companies.

Business is used to working with the municipality. The STLM provides us with their services and we pay for what we use. Will businesses be quiet and accept the extra financial burden that will be placed on us? Will the infrastructure we depend on to be maintained at an acceptable level? How will we manage the additional cost of municipal services, cut jobs? Maintain the infrastructure at our expense? Police our properties and communities to ensure the safety of our people? Or are you as a business prepared to absorb these additional costs?

Is your company or employer a member of the Middelburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry? Do you want to be part of the solution that paves the way for the future, or do you accept the future that is being planned by the municipality. As a non-profit organisation, MCCI is a non-political organisation that only supports the interests of business. Contact the office with your vision and point of view on how you envision our future.

Thank you, Women in Power

Thank you, Women in Power.

On Friday, 17 September 2021, ladies of the business community gathered at Hermansdal Landgoed to celebrate Women’s Day in the spring.

The Middelburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) hosted its annual Women’s Day celebration with 100 beautiful women from the Mpumalanga Highveld.  The theme was Women in Power. The ladies were given a platform to express themselves and interact with other women. Mr Themba Phathakge opened the ceremony with a beautiful poem about women, and William Blackrose captivated the women with his beautiful voice.

Special guests included the Executive Mayor of Emalahleni Ms L.N. Malatjie, Acting Executive Mayor of Nkangala District Ms Mthimunye, Municipal Manager of Nkangala District Ms S.S.Skosana, Ms Que Naidoo, President and Mrs Anna-Marth Ott, CEO of MCCI The day ended with the women testing their golf swings at the new Hermansdal golf driving range. Monica Joao won the competition for the longest drive.

Thank you to the following sponsors: Columbus, Thosbegbie, Nashua, Twizza, Mbungiswa Logistics, Hermansdal, Old Mutual, Chris de Hoek Guest House, The Daily Coffee café Middelburg, Alveston Manor Spa, Abafazi Nebhodo, Midmed Hospital, Honey Accessories with your continued support of the event was a great success.

NB: Covid 19 regulations were followed at all times.

Women in Power

Women in Power

On Thursday, the 19th of August, a few local businesswomen got together to inspire each other.

Nicci Gates, the speaker at the event, filled the ladies cups with a motivational and positive nugget for life.

The event was arranged by the new Highveld Business Forum Bu-Hi,  in association with the Middelburg Chamber of Commerce and industry.  As Anna Marth, the CEO of the MCCI said, “There has been a division between the two towns of Witbank and Middelburg, and it is time that, that changes”.

Business Highveld will be a virtual business forum focusing on businesses in the Emalahleni and Steve Tshwete areas. The forum will be for all business, big or small said Monica Joao local spokesperson for the forum.

“There was a  burning in my heart to bring something the Witbank Business Market that can benefit all. I admired the Middelburg Chamber efficiency and knew that to make this work. Together we will build a unified Highveld business sector and create something amazing for Witbank.  The new Business Forum called Bu-Hi (Business Highveld) will bring change in Networking and Business opportunities in the local areas, said Joao.

Another exciting add on is an Information Hub for Witbank. The Witbank Information Hub will be situated at Bietjie Kaap Coffee Bar under the management of Talitha Taljaard.  To find out more about the information Hub, you can contact Talitha Taljaard on 082 9215476.

For all businesses that are interested in getting involved in the Bu-Hi Forum or other opportunities to get involved, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Monica Joao on 083 633 3459 or monica@modomo.co.za

 

Why does the MCCI help KZN?

Why does the MCCI help KZN?

The Middelburg Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) is a business organisation and our primary purpose is to serve and support our members and our business organisation. Why help the Kwazulu Natal people? MCCI is not a charity organisation.
Not only does MCCI have a network of local businesses that we communicate and work with, but we also network and work with other chambers across the country. In this case with the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business and the Durban Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Recently, we lobbied with them to standardise electricity rates for industries that use municipal electricity.

MCCI will leverage the various networks and chambers such as the franchise network to assist employees and identified beneficiaries in the business environment. Middelburg is part of the road infrastructure and business network that stretches from Durban Harbour to our city. The sooner the business community gets back on its feet and business returns to normal, the sooner we can recover from the economic damage caused by the looting, vandalism and Covid19’s impact on the business sector.

MCCI will use our members’ franchise networks and chamber connections to ensure that all funds are used for what they were intended for and, as always, keep a watchful eye on management. We need to protect jobs in our city so we can continue to help others instead of being helped. Anyone interested in sending food and other supplies to the affected areas can drop them off with us or at the Nashua offices.

117th AGM and Election of new 2021 Chamber Executive 

117th AGM and Election of new 2021 Chamber Executive 

The Middelburg Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) will be hosting our 117th Annual General Meeting and urges our members to nominate Executive candidates to be elected for 2021/22.

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on 11 March 2021, at 18:00, in the Auditorium, at 292 Walter Sisulu Riverside, Middelburg. Members are requested to ensure that they confirm attendance by 9 March 2021. Alternatively, should you be unable to attend the AGM, please complete a proxy form and return it to the office by 1 March 2021.

Alternatively, please attend the meeting via Zoom, the link was e-mailed to members.

Your attendance is vital to ensure a relevant Executive Committee’s election to represent Middelburg’s business community, that can guide the organisation during these challenging times.

MCCI has also decided to postpone our annual banquet to when the relevant Lockdown Level permits.

The Notice, Nomination and Proxy Forms have already been e-mailed to members.  Please contact Sandy at 013 243 2253 or secretary@middelburginfo.com for more information.